MARIETTA — A Cobb native with 40 years of experience in law enforcement has been picked to be the county school district’s new director of public safety.

Ron Storey, 59, was unanimously approved by the school board Wednesday to replace Jim Arrowood, who turned in his resignation last month and retires effective Feb. 28.

“Ron Storey is an outstanding choice to lead our Public Safety Department,” said Cobb Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. “He has strong relationships throughout our community, with local agencies and governments, and with the key individuals who will help our school district operate smoothly and safely.

“We say often that school and student safety is our highest priority in Cobb, and we know that Ron Storey will make it his first priority as well.”

Storey is coming to Cobb Schools from the Cobb County Police Department, where he has served as deputy police chief since 2006 and worked his way up through the ranks since 1986.

Prior to working with Cobb Police, Storey was a master sergeant in the Georgia Air National Guard, worked for Eastern Airlines, was a patrol officer and detective with the Fulton County Police Department, a patrol officer with the Atlanta Police Department and an air passenger specialist in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air Force Reserve.

He said he applied for the job because Cobb Schools has been a major part of his life for so long.

“I’ve been involved with Cobb Schools for quite a while,” Storey said. “I’m an Osborne High School graduate, native of Cobb County, and all of my children went to McEachern High School.”

He also attends many athletic events, including McEachern High basketball and football games and is a former Booster Club member.

“I’m at a point in the police department where it’s time for retirement, but I’m not really ready to sit down,” he said.

That doesn’t mean he won’t miss working with Cobb Police.

“It’s been a fantastic place to work,” he said.

Storey said one of his primary goals in joining the school district will be to provide more training to its 40-plus campus police officers.

Storey also said it will be important for him to keep his strong ties with the county police department but also make sure each school is working closely with its area police department.

“I think it’s very important that the school system works closely with all those agencies and gets them involved in the schools,” he said.

His last day with Cobb Police will be Feb. 22, and his first day with Cobb Schools will be Feb. 25.

Storey’s salary will be $93,150 a year.

During Wednesday’s work session, the board also unanimously approved hiring Nancy Larimer as the district’s new director of professional, virtual and learning resources.

She has been the supervisor for professional learning since 2006 and is replacing Andrew Smith, effective Thursday.

Amy Krause, who oversees the position as Cobb’s chief academic officer, said Larimer will be responsible for programs and budgets related to professional learning and staff development, virtual learning opportunities for staff and students, and instructional learning resources, including textbooks and library media services.

Larimer has worked with Cobb Schools since 1987, starting as an elementary school teacher at Brumby Elementary in Marietta.

She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Kennesaw State University, a specialist from Georgia State University and a leadership certificate. Her salary will increase from $94,531 a year to $99,900.

*We welcome your comments on the stories and issues of the day and seek to provide a forum for the community to voice opinions. All comments are subject to moderator approval before being made visible on the website but are not edited. The use of profanity, obscene and vulgar language, hate speech, and racial slurs is strictly prohibited. Advertisements, promotions, and spam will also be rejected. Please read our terms of service for full guides